The total that special interests spend on lobbying Colorado lawmakers appears destined to set records, despite the potential for a shortened session amid the coronavirus pandemic. The payments made by various corporations and interest groups to lobbyists topped $29.6 million from July 2019 through the end of March, according to a Colorado Sun analysis of […]
public option
Posted inBusiness, Health, News, Politics and Government
$10,000-a-day fines and other things to know about Colorado’s new public health insurance option bill
After months of debate, numerous reports and an opposition advertising campaign, Colorado lawmakers on Thursday officially introduced the bill that would create a public health insurance option in the state. Many of the details remain the same from earlier proposals — the option plans would be available at first only to people who buy coverage […]
Posted inBusiness, Health, News, Politics and Government
Colorado’s public health insurance option puts a bull’s-eye on hospital profits. But some rural facilities could make more.
Situated in the small Eastern Plains town of Hugo, the 60-year-old Lincoln Community Hospital is one of the most affordable in Colorado. A study last year found that it currently charges privately insured patients on average only slightly more than the rate that Medicare pays for the same services, giving Lincoln Community the third-lowest prices […]
Posted inHealth, News, Politics and Government
Colorado is forging ahead on new health care models while the nation waits
By Markian Hawryluk, Kaiser Health News With the nation’s capital mired in gridlock and the Affordable Care Act facing a dire legal challenge, the prospects of lowering health care costs for Americans this year seem unlikely. Just don’t tell that to Coloradans. Democratic majorities in the state House and Senate and a Democratic governor eager […]
Posted inBusiness, Health, News, Politics and Government
Colorado hospitals hate the plan to cap their prices. Here’s how they want to control health costs instead.
As Democrats at the state Capitol near the introduction of the long-awaited and hugely controversial bill to create a public health insurance option, Colorado hospitals on Tuesday unveiled their counter offer. Their proposal is a “total-cost-of-care” model — essentially a big health spending budget for the state. An independent commission would be charged with setting […]
Posted inOpinion, Opinion Columns
Opinion: Colorado’s public option should maximize competition and affordability. Here’s how.
Legislative leaders and Gov. Jared Polis have rightly identified increasing competition and improving affordability as core priorities for the proposed public option health insurance program. Whether or not it will achieve these goals could hinge on an important question that has been drowned out in this largely ideological debate: should all health plans in the […]
Posted inBusiness, Health, News, Politics and Government
Colorado public option opponents accused of trying to “weaponize” doctors against health insurance proposal
A newly formed organization backed by Colorado hospitals, business leaders and Republican elected officials is encouraging doctors and other medical professionals to join the fight against a proposed public health insurance option and harness the trust people have in those professions. The new tactic comes on the heels of a pricey ad campaign — costing […]
Posted inNews, Politics and Government
Here are the big ideas that Gov. Jared Polis and Colorado lawmakers pitched for the 2020 session
By Erica Breunlin, Jennifer Brown, Moe Clark, John Ingold and Jesse PaulThe Colorado Sun From mental health to teacher pay, Colorado’s leaders are exploring innovative ideas to tackle the state’s biggest challenges. Gov. Jared Polis and four state lawmakers pitched their ideas Tuesday at the Big Ideas Forum hosted by The Colorado Sun, CBS4 and […]
Posted inBusiness, Health, News, Politics and Government
Your guide to all the ways health care may be about to change in Colorado
Hey, Colorado, feeling a little blue that the Broncos won’t be in the Super Bowl this year? Well, dust off those foam fingers because there’s another Super Bowl coming our way in less than a week: the start of the legislative session. “This is kind of the Super Bowl of Colorado health policy right now,” […]
Posted inHealth, News, Politics and Government
Groups tied to hospitals, insurance companies launch pricey ad blitz against Colorado public option
Two affiliated organizations with ties to hospitals and insurance companies have launched a six-figure public relations ad blitz against the creation of a “public” health insurance option in Colorado. The campaign began earlier this month and comes ahead of the 2020 legislative session, which begins next week and is expected to feature an intense battle […]